Sunday, April 22, 2007

My photos on Flickr are now organized according various themes called "collections" which enable easier browsing through my numerous photos and sets.

The themes are:

Singapore Shores - covering all my trips with beachfleas and others to various shores on the mainland and on our offshore islandsSingapore Greens - all other nature areas and green events, mangrove, coastal, terrestrial or even urbanSingaporensis - all things Singapore from election to PUB exhibitions and even food foraysSingapore Heartlands - covering the heartlands and the heart with friends and familyRMBR Toddycats - all T-cats events and some other treehuggery activitiesThai Travels - documenting all my trips to ThailandAsian Travels - the many asian countries in East Asia and Southeast Asia that I've visited in the last 3 yearsAmericas Travels - some photos from my short stay on student exchange in USA

There will be more to come I am sure with European Travels for one. I am still in the process of uploading photos. I may be starting a new set on colonial buildings to separate that out from heritage activities.

Monkey has recently made her first foray into the Singapore Metblogs. It would be interesting to be able to reach out to more people locally and globally using other channels. Exploring other media to talk about the treehugging matters and all things Singapore.

My first post is on the Bring Your Own Bag day. There are cool 1980s and 90s poster on there. It'd be interesting what one can dig out if one puts one mind to it.

Meanwhile, I'll be off to Europe tonight and will not be back for the next 2 weeks. If internet willing, I will be blogging on the travelling menagerie while there. Who knows, maybe a german 'holsum minute or two. :)

Thursday, April 19, 2007

The hero of climate change, the star of An Inconvenient Truth, is actually in Singapore this very minute!

He is here along with six other heros of our environment to receive the UNEP Champion of the Earth award. Unfortunately, from what the monkey understood, it's press invited only, in addition to relevant individuals. Of heros and champions, it'll be more exciting and locally involving if UNEP could actually arrange a public lecture by these champions to spread some enlightened vibes around singapore. Afterall, such a major environmental wave swept through Singapore yesterday with outcry of synthetic deprivation, a motivational talk is in order. In fact, my family called me up to "seek my expert knowledge" to understand what one should do with their garbage if they no longer take free plastic bags from NTUC to line their bins.

I wonder if the organizer, Singapore Tourism Board, saw past the greens for the trees.

----Update @ 20 April 2007:Eugene commented that Al Gore did not personally come to Singapore but was represented by actress Daryl Hannah. Apologies for not being updated as I have read about the UNEP champions almost 2 months ago. Oh well, maybe somebody should invite him specially to Singapore next time.

Name and shame, says green champArti Mulchand20 April 2007Straits Times

That is how she tackled stubborn polluters in the Philippines

FORMER Filipino environment and natural resources secretary Elisea Gillera Gozun has a method for handling persistent polluters - name and shame them.

'In Asia, shame is something companies and people respond to... We don't want to be put to shame,' said Mrs Gozun, one of seven Champions of the Earth 2007 honoured last night.

She received the award for her environmental efforts in the Philippines, including introducing a pollution charges scheme and establishing a public disclosure system for companies.

She gave an example of a textile firm in Manila which made headlines for dumping untreated water into a river.

The owners 'woke up' and cleaned up only when their children refused to go to school out of sheer embarrassment, said Mrs Gozun, who leads seven non-governmental organisations in the Philippines.

Last night's other winners were honoured for achievements in fields ranging from chemical safety and sustainable waste management to the greening of sporting events.

They include the International Olympic Committee and its president Jacques Rogge.

Another winner, Brazilian Environment Minister Marina Silva, has fought for the protection of the Amazon rainforest and championed conservation while taking into account the concerns of those who depend on resources.

Also on this year's honour roll is former US vice-president Al Gore, who continues to make the environment a 'pillar of his public service'.

He was represented at last night's ceremony at the Shangri-La Hotel by actress Daryl Hannah - herself an environmental champion and a bioenergy advocate.

A statement from Mr Gore said: 'It has taken too long for global leaders, especially in the United States, to wake up to this fact and respond, but I have hope...

'I have every confidence that when the nations of the world come together for the common good, we will regain our moral authority not only to tackle the climate crisis, but also to address the other major environmental threats we face today.'

United Nations Environment Programme executive director Achim Steiner said that celebrating the champions provides an 'antidote to what is otherwise a fairly bleak picture that we... share with the world in 2007'.

He was pointing to the dire report for the planet issued by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change earlier this year, the third part of which will be released in Bangkok on May 4.

The first part of the assessment report blamed human activity for the earth getting 'incontrovertibly' warm.

The second instalment last month envisaged more frequent and severe flooding, water shortages and pressure on coastlines.

Climate change and issues surrounding energy took centre stage also at the Global Business Summit for the Environment (B4E) here yesterday.

Mr Steiner urged the business leaders attending the meeting to 'bring the environmental and sustainability dimension into the marketplace' and get involved in the fight against climate change.

Also on the agenda, the rising trend of putting money into greener investments and financial products, and the risks and opportunities facing businesses in a carbon constrained environment.

On the sidelines of the event, another Champion of the Earth, Algerian Minister for Land Planning and Environment Cherif Rahmani, who was honoured for his work on desertification, called on Singapore's Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim.

The Algerian minister noted the potential for Singapore to share its experience in town planning and water management.

'Champions of the Earth' honoured in eco-friendly event20 April 2007Straits Times

BUSINESS leaders, environmentalists, entertainers and government leaders - they all turned up to honour the Champions of the Earth at an awards ceremony last night.

The awards, given out to seven people this year, recognise those who champion environmental causes and effect policy changes.

This was the fourth instalment of the annual awards, presented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The event opened with West African singer Angelique Kidjo cajoling some 700 guests to sing along to her song Afirika, which speaks of blessings for Mother Earth.

It was a pointer to the environmental theme which permeated the celebrations, graced by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and his wife.

Guests tucked into organic and sustainably farmed food at the Shangri-La Hotel's Island Ballroom, which was transformed into a lush tropical rainforest with plants and coloured energy-efficient bulbs.

Even the trophies given to the winners were made from recycled metal.

The former secretary of the Philippines' Department of Environment and Natural Resources Elisea Gillera Gozun, and Algerian Minister for Land Planning and Environment Cherif Rahmani were here to accept their awards.

The other winners, who sent their representatives, are:

Former US vice-president Al Gore;

Brazilian Environment Minister Marina Silva;

International Olympic Council president Jacques Rogge;

Swedish Ministry of Environment Ambassador Viveka Bohn; and

Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan.

UNEP executive director Achim Steiner said environmental challenges have brought economies, societies, businesses and governments together into a 'world conversation that is long overdue'.

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Deceivingly nondescript at high tideSister Shore shimmer with secretsmocking us behind a veiled cover of artificelaughing at our not-knowing, our follyhugging its secrets close to its bosomlulling us asleep with its serene beauty

As the clock struck in perfect timingthe swan turns into a beautiful princessreveling in sunlight or moonshinewelcoming little beachfleasthat come out to playon low tides across our shores

As the witch of time cast its spellthe tide menacingly encroach on little beachfleas forced to fleehiding in huts on the backshorewaiting and watchingbidding their time

Till the next time the tide goesand out they come to play again!Beachfleas to armsBeachfleas to fun!

This has been an experiment at merging landscapes together with Photoshop's Photomerge automator function. Photo taken at Sisters on 3 January 2007. Pardon the bad merging either on my bad manual mendings or photoshop's bad stitching. For more photos on sisters, see my flickr set

Monday, April 09, 2007

Still need to spruce up the looks and submit the hardcover by next monday but that's it. My fate is sealed. A not-so perfect piece of work representing me, with my name on it, has left my hands into the hands of those who hold my fate, hopefully gently within their palms.

Thanks to all who cared, commented and showered me with support. Thank you! *muak* the monkey feels the love :)
Read full article here

Sunday, April 08, 2007

Have you ever seen a naked hermit crab? Original image courtesy of MarEco

Today, a group of naked hermit crabs were born at Seah Im Hawker Center. They were seen roaming about with their butts hanging out. Hoping not to moon anybody, they tried to device ways of covering up their butts with giant buttons to appeal for help to save their shells.

Friday, April 06, 2007

Floppy 'Holsum Minute, otherwise known as FHM, is now coming to the youtube nearest to you! Produced by this rambling monkey with the help of the star of the show - Floppy, the world travelling ball of fur donkey!

The first in many to come - wholesome 'holsum green tips all compressed in one exact minute!

This week, floppy tells us a bit about how to combat the heat in Singapore - in an environmentally friendly sorta way! This will come in handy in the el nino expected this year.

Please share with floppy your comments so we can improve for future episodes. For example, should we stick it to exactly 60 seconds?

If there are any topics or locations that you would like floppy to visit, drop us a comment!

Greetings!

Welcome to the Midnight Monkey Monitor.

This weblog was created in 2003 and named as such due to my penchant for alliteration, a midnight predecessor and my moniker as the leafmonkey, or monkey to most. MMM chronicles my thoughts and reflections on subjects and news related to environmental issues as well as issues of cultural and natural heritage. Read more in About Me.

Since November 2007, most of the writings on this blog has been dedicated to the syndication of Daily Green Actions from my Leafmonkey Twitter account. However, as of 2008, I shall resolve to resume more original writings. Find out more about my projects.